PITTSBURGH -- Earlier this week, residents of Pittsburgh's North Side were angry when they attended a North Shore casino meeting and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl didn't show up.

He was at a Red Sox game in Boston on a business trip.

"I never intended to go to that meeting," Ravenstahl said. "I didn't know that a letter was sent out with my name on it until I arrived home the next day."

On Friday, the focus shifted from frustrations to requests for help to build better neighborhoods.

North Side residents and members from North Side United came up with some new ideas they hope PITG Gaming's Don Barden will grant.

Barden's PITG Gaming won Pittsburgh's slots license and will begin building a casino on the North Shore soon.

"We feel our voices have not been heard," said James Prude of North Side United. "Our community has not been ignored and left behind, and there is a lot of anger in the community."

"Whether it's PNC Park, Heinz Field, Route 65, the whole North Side has not been engaged for their input and participation throughout," said Tanisha Jones, of Manchester.

Barden already pledged $3 million to another North Side group, the North Side Leadership Conference, for community improvements for businesses and housing.

North Side United said more people from the community need to be represented and hope Barden will kick in some more cash for youth programs, parks and trails and job training.

The group said they plan to have several meetings throughout the month of October to give people in the community a chance to voice their concerns.

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